The American’s own Keonta Howell has been leading the charge for the Heat this
season. Photo: Gary Baker

This being a column rather than reportage, I'm allowed a little bias. My partisanship should come as
no surprise, however. The American itself was Surrey–born, the Heat are still the most
geographically local BBL team to our offices, and star forward Keonta Howell is one of our writers.
Add to that the fact that my own family history includes both Guildford and Sunderland (regional rivals
to all things Geordie, and no, it doesn't help that Newcastle started out as the Sunderland Saints),
and I was never likely to root for the Eagles in this one.

'This one', by the way, is the British Basketball Trophy Final. If you haven't been following
the story of the Guildford Heat — and to a large extent the Eagles as well — you've been missing some great story lines.

League Champions in Year Two
Three years ago, the Newcastle Eagles were the dominant team in the BBL, lead by iconic player–coach
Fabulous Flournoy to success in the League, Playoffs, Trophy and Cup — a clean sweep. The Guildford Heat
were just a fledgeling amalgamation of local basketball enthusiasm. Come 2006–07, and it was the small–town
Heat, paced by Americans Chad McKnight and Brian Dux that jumped up and shocked the league, stripping the Eagles of
their league championship title and the BBL Cup, leaving Newcastle with only the Playoff title.

The Dux accident, but Trophy success
Then came the 07–08 season, losing McKnight to the Leicester Riders, and Dux to an auto accident that left
him with severe head trauma (from which he is now slowly recovering, back in his native Buffalo). The Heat defied
the odds to take the BBL Trophy and Playoffs title, leaning heavily on ex–UConn player EJ Harrison as they
defeated the Eagles 86–79 in the Trophy Final, but lost out to the Eagles in the league after a 108–101 thriller.

Administration, yet fighting on
And now the 08–09 season. While the stars — Howell, Harrison, and a returning McKnight amongst them —
fought to keep Guildford competitive on the court, the club came under financial pressure away from it. In the past month,
the club first went into administration, only to be saved by businessman Alan McClafferty (fittingly enough, MD of
John Dennis Coachbuilders, a renowned local manufacturer of fire trucks).

At a players' meeting, the American stars decided they would fight on despite the team's money woes, and far from
being distracted, went on a week's rampage, defeating the Plymouth Raiders home and away to qualify for the Trophy
Final and then slapping aside the previously dominant Everton Tigers 90–74 in league play. If they've been a
little underwhelming this past week, it may only be that they're keeping their powder dry for an explosive Trophy Final.

Another classic clash
The Trophy Final is this Sunday at the Guildford Spectrum. While not the 10,000 seater stadium the Eagles enjoy back
home, The Heat nonetheless intend to fire up their fine local venue, nicknamed 'The Furnace', to take full advantage
of home court. The Eagles are the league–leaders and favorites. The Heat are a team with the players needed to
defend their Trophy crystalware — not just the US stars, but Brits such as Mike Martin, Jon May, and ex–Vanderbilt
Center Alan Metcalfe.

If you enjoy basketball — and a potential feel–good ending — you might want to grab some of the last
tickets available for the Trophy Final this Sunday. Visit the Guildford Spectrum website at www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk.
The Heat's own website is www.guildfordheat.com.